Flexible composite hinge

Abstract

A hinge for use with movable components is provided including a generally rectangular body. The body includes a bend region, a first flange, and a second flange. The first flange and the second flange are positioned on opposing sides of the bend region. A portion of the bend region has a reduced thickness relative to the first flange and the second flange. A hinge axis is defined within the bend region. The first flange and the second flange rotate about the hinge axis.

1 . A hinge for use with movable components comprising:
 a generally rectangular body including a filler medium and an upper composite layer bonded to a first edge of the filler medium and a lower composite layer bonded to a second edge of the filler medium, the second edge being opposite the first edge, the body having an integrally formed bend region, and a first flange and a second flange positioned on opposing sides of the bend region, wherein a portion of the bend region has a reduced thickness relative to the first and second flange such that a hinge axis about which both the first flange and the second flange are configured to rotate is defined within the bend region and wherein the filler medium in the bend region gradually increases to a thickness generally equal to the first flange and the second flange at an interface between the bend region and the first flange and second flange.   
     
     
         2 . The hinge according to  claim 1 , wherein the hinge is operable in a first direction. 
     
     
         3 . (canceled) 
     
     
         4 . The hinge according to  claim 3 , wherein the bend region is created by bonding a portion of the upper composite layer to a portion of the lower composite layer. 
     
     
         5 . The hinge according to  claim 3 , wherein the bend region is created by forming a groove in a central portion of the filler medium. 
     
     
         6 . The hinge according to  claim 5 , wherein groove in the filler medium is generally V-shaped. 
     
     
         7 . The hinge according to  claim 5 , wherein the bend region is created by forming a first groove and a second groove in opposing sides of the central portion of the filler medium. 
     
     
         8 . The hinge according to  claim 7 , wherein the hinge is symmetrical across a neutral axis. 
     
     
         9 . The hinge according to  claim 7 , wherein the hinge is operable to flex along the hinge axis in a first direction and a second, directly opposite direction. 
     
     
         10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . The hinge according to  claim 10 , wherein the interface between the bend region and the first flange and second flange includes a radius. 
     
     
         12 . The hinge according to  claim 3 , wherein at least one of the upper composite layer and the lower composite layer includes a plurality of unidirectional fibers. 
     
     
         13 . The hinge according to  claim 12 , wherein the plurality of unidirectional fibers are perpendicular to the hinge axis. 
     
     
         14 . The hinge according to  claim 12 , wherein the plurality of unidirectional fibers is supported by additional fibers perpendicular to the unidirectional fibers. 
     
     
         15 . The hinge according to  claim 3 , wherein the filler medium has a honeycomb structure. 
     
     
         16 . The hinge according to  claim 1 , wherein the first flange is formed integrally with a first movable component and the second flange is formed integrally with a second movable component. 
     
     
         17 . The hinge according to  claim 1 , wherein a first movable component is directly connected to the first flange and a second movable component is directly connected to the second flange. 
     
     
         18 . The hinge according to  claim 1 , wherein a first hinge plate is connected to the first flange and a second hinge plate is connected to the second flange.